How to Start a Rumor
Rumor is a type of message that spreads quickly and may influence behavior. Rumor is different from news, which is generally based on facts and research.
A rumor is often false and can have serious consequences for those who believe it. The truth may eventually emerge, but the damage done is often irreversible. In addition, rumors often lead to reactions that are unwarranted and may cause people to take actions before the truth is known. For example, when a photo was shared on social media that claimed to show an Islamic State fighter seeking refuge in Europe, it caused people to oppose refugees coming into the country.
The origins of a rumor are rooted in human communication and the need to share information about things that have happened. In the past, a rumor would have been passed on from person to person via the grapevine, but nowadays it is much easier to spread a rumor online.
There are various theories of rumor, with some arguing that for a rumor to thrive it needs to be false and spread in a stressful or volatile environment. Others, like sociologist Neil Smelser, have contributed to the development of a more structural interpretation of the phenomenon, determining that certain conditions must be present for a rumor to grow and become widespread.
A positive rumor, such as one about a new store opening or an exciting project at work, has the potential to bring in more business and increase morale among employees. But a negative rumor can do a lot of harm, especially when it is false and causes a person to lose their job or reputation.
If you want to start a rumor, first decide what your goal is. Is it to embarrass someone, break up a relationship, or bring down a government? Then think about whether there is an ethical way to achieve this. It can be tempting to gossip about someone, but if you are pengeluaran hk going to make up a rumor about them consider how you will react if they find out.
Another consideration when starting a rumor is to pick the right topic. It should be shocking, but it also needs to seem believable. For example, most people won’t believe that you were attacked by a bear while hiking and survived. You can make it more believable by adding in a few details, but only if you are confident that the rumor will spread.
It is also important to think about how the rumor will be spread and who you will tell it to. Try to keep the number of those who know about it small, so that if it does come back around to you, it is difficult to prove you were the original source. If you are unsure, it is better to deny being the originator of the rumor than to lie. In some cases, this may even stop the rumor. For example, if a friend of yours shares the rumor on their Facebook page, they may retract it when they find out you told them a lie.